The Costco Guys are bringing back the boom tomorrow night as Big Boom AJ, Big Justice, and The Rizzler will be appearing on AEW’s biggest show of the year.
Big Boom AJ, a former independent wrestler himself, will also see some action as he will be teaming up with Tomohiro Ishii, Hologram, and Kyle O’Reilly to take on Trent Beretta, Lance Archer, Rocky Romero, and Hechicero in an eight-man tag team match during the Zero Hour show.
All three appeared on Collision last night after Big Boom AJ hinted on social media that he would be going to Texas this weekend for All In.
This will be his third match in AEW, and his third Zero Hour appearance.
A vignette for Real1, the artist formerly known as Enzo Amore in WWE, aired on TNA Impact last night.
The vignette was “paid for by Fourth Rope,” the promotion which he holds the Flyweight title for.
In the promo, he said that TNA are in his backyard next week for Slammiversary and he always has a guy on the inside. He said he can buy a ringside ticket and show up but then mentioned an angle which took place several years ago at the world’s most famous arena.
“Remember what happened at MSG,” he asked, saying that he wouldn’t recommend that. He was referring to the time when he and Big Cass attacked The Briscoes in an angle worked like a shoot at Madison Square Garden when NJPW and ROH teamed up for an event during WrestleMania weekend.
Amore also pulled a stunt at the Survivor Series in 2018 when he was sitting a ringside facing the hard cam under disguise until he was recognized and eventually ejected. He was fired from WWE earlier that year after he faced sexual assault allegations.
NXT drew 695,000 viewers this week for the Great American Bash go-home episode, an increase of 68,000 viewers compared to the prior week. The show had a 0.16 rating in 18-49, up 0.01 from last week. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)
Live from the Esports Stadium Arlington in Arlington, Texas, AEW presents ROH Supercard of Honor 2025 airing exclusively on the HonorClub streaming service. The full card is as follows:
Bandido vs Konosuke Takeshita for the ROH World title; Athena vs Thunder Rosa for the ROH Women’s title; The Sons of Texas vs The Infantry for the ROH Tag Team titles; Lee Moriarty vs Blue Panther for the ROH Pure title in a Pure wrestling rules match; Nick Wayne vs Titan for the ROH TV title; The Dark Order vs The Frat House in a six-man tag team match; Plus an interim ROH Women’s TV champion will be crowned in a match with opponents still to be determined.
Supercard of Honor kicks off at 8PM ET / 5PM PT. An HonorClub subscription, priced at $9.99, is required to watch the show.
The wrestling fan convention Starrcast kicks off today at the Sheraton Arlington Hotel in Arlington, Texas.
The two-day convention will allow fans to meet with their favorite AEW stars and wrestling legends, attend panel discussions, watch wrestling, buy merchandise, and more.
Tickets are available for $47 each day or $91 for a weekend pass.
Leap and Epic Experiences, the same company which does WWE’s meet and greets, will also handle some of the pro photo and autograph ops at the event.
Appearing today are Adam Cole and Paragon, Adam Page, Bryan Danielson, Christian Cage and The Patriarchy, Jon Moxley, Dustin Rhodes, FTR, Hurt Syndicate, Jim Ross, Kazuchika Okada, Mina Shirakawa, Paul Wight, Sting, Swerve Strickland, The Opps, Thekla, and Toni Storm.
Appearing tomorrow are John “Bradshaw” Layfield, Kevin Von Erich, Mark Henry, Mickie James, Monty Brown, Ric Flair, Anna Jay and Tay Melo, and Texas wrestling legends Dory Funk, Kevin Von Erich, Stan Hansen, and John Layfield together.
Many other AEW and wrestling stars are appearing at Starrcast for a meet and greet.
On today’s episode of SiriusXM’s The Nikki and Brie Show, Nikki & Brie Garcia are joined by longtime friend and fellow women’s wrestling trailblazer Saraya. Saraya and the twins discuss their “Total Divas” days and a potential reboot, embracing single life, the return of WWE Evolution and more.
Saraya on “Total Divas” reboot (8:52-9:17 & 15:05-15:29)
Saraya: Especially “Total Divas” too. That was so exhausting. I had the best time, you know, with that. I wish we could, not redo it, but I wish we could have like another season to see where we all are now. You know?
Nikki Garcia: Yes. I agree.
Brie Garcia: I mean, everyone wants it and all the girls who were part of “Total Divas” all want to reboot it. I think it’d be amazing.
Nikki Garcia: I think it would be huge.
Saraya: Yeah. 100%.
Nikki Garcia: I just see, especially with some of us with the “Total Divas” of like, when you see the success of, “And Just Like That” with “Sex and the City,” like we’re all doing so many different things now in our new eras of life. That would be so cool to bring it all back together with all of us. It would just be a lot of fun and I think it would be a huge success as well.
Saraya: For sure. 100%. 100%. “Total Divas” reunion, let’s go.
Saraya on return of WWE Evolution (9:17-11:08)
Nikki Garcia: What were your thoughts when you saw them announce that they’re going to be bringing back Evolution?
Saraya: Oh my gosh. You know, it’s kind of bittersweet because obviously I’m not there anymore, but then the first one that I did, I couldn’t be a part of it because of my neck, but I could do commentary and stuff like that, so I was like, “Man, I keep missing out on all these like big things that are happening for female wrestlers,” and I feel like us three really helped kind of usher in, you know, I always say it was us, okay? I don’t care what people say. We lit the match for then people to come onto the main roster and be able to do amazing things, right? But we were grinding behind the scenes on the camera. I mean, we worked our asses off to make women’s wrestling the way it is today and that’s not discrediting anybody else because when these ladies came up on the road, they delivered. Whatever they were given and whatever opportunities they had, they delivered, but they got to go straight into doing that, you know, which is like, I’m so, a little bit, you know, jealous of because I couldn’t do it because of my neck. You know, I couldn’t showcase all the hard work that we just put in, so it can be a little frustrating, but I’m so happy. I’m kind of annoyed that it took them so long to bring it back. I was like, “It’s been years now. Why have we not done more?” You know, more of that, because I know the girls now, they steal the show every pay-per-view, in my opinion and that’s not being biased because of my gender. I just feel like they just steal the show. Every female wrestler right now is so incredible, and they all have their own character. It’s so special, so I’m just like, “Damn,” like I’m so happy that they’re finally bringing it back again and I’m so happy that there’s so many freaking female wrestlers that are going to go on there and absolutely smash it, but there was a part of me being like, “Man, yeah, I do wish I could be a part of it sometimes,” you know?
Saraya & Nikki Garcia on embracing single life (16:06-17:50)
Brie Garcia: How has single life been?
Saraya: Oh my god. Yes, so I love it. I was texting Nikki about it earlier this year, you know, because we were both going through similar things and oh my gosh, I really love it. I really do because I wasn’t single really for over a decade, you know, because I went from one boyfriend to the other and I was like, “Damn,” like this year, and I think that is what brought me so much happiness too is just like, I just don’t want to go on dates. I’ve had guys hit me up like constantly, which is nice. You know, you feel kind of special, but I haven’t, you know, felt any connection to the point where I want to go on a date, you know? I was like talking, I mean, I still am. I’m talking to like this one guy who’s always, he’s so nice to me and he treats you so well, but I can’t really pull that trigger to want to be in a relationship or anything like that. You know, I’m just like, I’m not ready for it. I love being single. I love having my own spot. I love like doing whatever I want, you know, because you don’t have to worry about someone being like, you know, wanting to take some of your space and your energy. I’m like, “Oh no.” I don’t have to worry about that anymore, so it’s really lovely and I feel so happy. I think this is the best, I think really truly that is the catalyst of what makes me the most happiest this year.
Nikki Garcia: I love that. I so agree with you about the space and energy. It’s like, I feel the same. I only want Te Te in that space, and I don’t want anyone else in it. I’m so peaceful and happy and zen and I’m like, “I don’t need anyone else.” I want to give him my energy, myself, my energy and that’s it. I don’t need to share. I don’t want to.
Nikki Garcia likes a man with edge (21:23-22:01)
Nikki Garcia: You know what I like about those men though in that industry is they’re kind of like us. They stay super youthful and like young at heart. They can be such badass career men and the women too, but I’m just saying because, you know, single ladies are here. But then they just have this thing about them where they have edge and they’re like a free spirit and I’m very drawn to that. I love that kind of like when you could go be badass in business, but then you still have that free spirit, young at heart edge to you. Edge is everything to me. You have to have some edge to you or I’m like, “Uh-uh.”
The Nikki & Brie Show hosted by Nikki & Brie Garcia is available anytime on the SiriusXM app. New episodes every Monday and Thursday.
PWInsider.com is reporting that singer/songwriter Jelly Roll is currently undergoing wrestling training and is scheduled to make his in-ring debut at SummerSlam next month.
The 40-year-old Tennessee native appeared multiple times on WWE television and sang the anthem at WrestleMania this year. He also performed at last year’s SummerSlam, even getting physical in the ring by chokeslamming Austin Theory and then joining The Miz and R-Truth to do John Cena’s five knuckle shuffle on Theory.
Jelly Roll is expected to be at Smackdown tomorrow night to kick start the storyline which will see him step between the ropes for his firs official match.
Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis announced via a video on social media today that United States champion Solo Sikoa will be defending his title against his brother Jimmy Uso at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Sikoa won the title at the recent Night of Champions premium live event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, defeating Jacob Fatu thanks to the assist of Tala Tonga and Tanga Loa.
This is the fourth match on the card, joining Gunther vs Goldberg for the World Heavyweight title, Seth Rollins vs LA Knight, and Drew McIntyre vs Randy Orton.
There will be no women matches on the show as the women will be featured on Evolution the following day.
Former WWE and AEW star Saraya sat down with Chris Van Vliet at West Coast Creative Studios in Hollywood, CA to discuss the decision behind leaving AEW and what’s next, her current contract status, if returning to WWE could be possible, wanting to wrestle as Paige again, being cleared to wrestle after suffering a career ending neck injury, the movie “Fighting With My Family” being made based on her life, winning the Divas Championship on her main roster debut, being in promo class with Roman Reigns while in NXT, her book “Hell in Boots: Clawing My Way Through Nine Lives” and more!
On the decision to sign with AEW:
“I was never open to the idea of wrestling again, because I just assumed I wasn’t going to do it. So when me and WWE parted ways, I was like what the f*ck am I going to do with my life now? I can’t wrestle, what the hell am I going to do? I was a little stressed out, but then, within a couple of weeks, WWE was calling me again to come back. Hunter was the one that called me, and then AEW called me at the same time. So I was just like, well, what the f*ck do I do? Who do I go with? And then WWE was like, ‘If you want to wrestle again at some point, we can check your neck and we’ll keep that coin in your back pocket.’ And I was like, Okay. Then I was just gonna do a GM role again there. So I was like, Okay, that sounds great. But then AEW called me, and they were just like, ‘We’ll sign your brother.’ And I was like, ok.”
On being a free agent:
“I’m a free agent now. I could pop up anywhere. No, my contract’s done, done. That’s one thing that helped is because they gave me the opportunity to walk away from this contract. Not a lot of companies or businesses would do that, but Tony was really, really great about it. So I was like you can keep paying me, or I can just take a hike.”
Is there a non-compete?
“No, Tony was great. It was a clean split.”
On whether the WWE return would be as Paige or Saraya:
“Paige, 100%. I miss Paige so much. I tell people all the time. So again, when I went to AEW, I didn’t want to be close to my character in WWE because of the comparisons. I was like, Okay. And then I ended up being like a chicken sh*t heel with AEW, which is all fun and good, but there’s a ceiling to that. Whereas Paige, I mean, she’s generational. I love her. She’s bad ass, tough as nails, just screaming all the time. I loved being her. She was a f*cking badass, and that felt more like an elevated version of myself, rather than doing what I was doing in AEW. But again, that was my decision to be like that. But then I was like, Damn I wish I leaned more into my original character, but it is what it is. You live, you learn.”
On a possible WWE Evolution appearance:
“It’s like a bittersweet thing, because the first one, I couldn’t be on it because of my neck. So if I had the opportunity to be on this all-female pay-per-view, of course, yeah, I would think about it.”
On possible WWE dream matches:
“I always get Rhea to either be a tag team partner [or opponent], the original goth sister to now, the ultimate goth sister. So I’d love to be in a team with her or wrestle her, because that’s what people want. I would love to wrestle Mercedes down the line, because it’s a built-in storyline. All the girls now, they’re all superstars, dude. I would get in the ring with anybody at any point in time. They’re all amazing. Probably Nattie again. I love Nattie. I’ve wrestled her a billion times, but, oh my God.”
Long-time WWE host Scott Stanford announced on X yesterday that he has departed WWE after 15 years.
The 58-year-old, who juggled other assignment for other TV networks while working for WWE, was the host of This Week in WWE with Megan Morant, and also worked the Raw and Smackdown pre-shows during the WWE Network era, did commentary for WWE Superstars in 2010, and hosted Bottom Line and Afterburner.
Stanford posted a video of several WWE employees cheering him on as he exited the WWE studio on his last day.
“15 year run… nothing but love! Hope to make it back one day,” Stanford wrote, tagging Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and Paul Heyman in the post.
Megan Bayne won a four-way match last night on Dynamite and earned the second spot in the women’s Casino Gauntlet battle royal match this Saturday at All In.
Bayne was in the match along with Queen Aminata, Tay Melo, and Thekla, with Bayne winning after delivering a running power bomb on Aminata.
She now joins Kris Statlander as the only two announced for the match so far. Statlander won a qualifier of her own a few weeks ago and got the #1 entry spot.
The match will follow the same rules as the men’s Casino Gauntlet, with the battle royal ending when the first person scores a pinfall or submission. The winner receives a title shot which she can cash in any time.
WWE and Maybelline New York, the number one cosmetic brand in the world, announced today a new partnership in which the beauty brand will become the first-ever Official Cosmetics Partner of WWE.
The new agreement commences with Maybelline serving as the Presenting Partner of Evolution – the all-women’s Premium Live Event on Sunday, July 13 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
“WWE is excited to collaborate with Maybelline, a partner that not only leads the beauty industry but also shares our vision for highlighting amazing individuals across the roster,” said Brit Santypal, Senior Vice President of Partnership Marketing, TKO.
“Maybelline New York is proud to partner with WWE and have the opportunity to put our products to the ultimate test,” said Amy Whang, President of Maybelline New York. “As the presenting sponsor of Evolution, we’re not just showing up in the ring; we’re supporting a global community that inspires confidence and self-expression, both in and out of the spotlight.”
In addition to the Presenting Partner designation at Evolution, Maybelline will receive center mat ring branding, a custom vignette and social media integrations. The partnership and activation strategy were developed in collaboration with Beauty Co-Lab, L’Oréal’s media agency of record.
“Maybelline continues to lead the way by moving at the speed of culture — connecting beauty with entertainment in bold, inclusive, and unexpected ways,” said Delphine Hernoux, CEO, Beauty Co-Lab. “At Beauty Co-Lab, we’re proud to have helped shape this milestone partnership with WWE, which reflects the kind of innovative thinking that keeps the brand ahead of the curve.”
Collision, returning to its regular time slot last Saturday night, drew 310,000 viewers, up 35,000 viewers from the previous episode which aired on a Thursday. Apart from last week’s number, this was the least-watched Collision since April 5. The show had a 0.10 rating in 18-49, up 0.02 from last week and was #3 on the top 50 cable chart for the night. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)
Ricochet, Brody King, and ROH World champion Bandido have been announced for the Casino Gauntlet battle royal at All In this Saturday.
The three now join Mark Briscoe, MJF, and Mistico in the match, with Briscoe and MJF getting entries number one and two respectively.
The match could end before anyone from the third spot onward could make it to the ring as in the Casino Gauntlet, the first one to score a pinfall or a submission wins the match. It’s the only battle royal in wrestling where you want to be either the first or second entrant!
The winner of this match will get a title shot which they can cash in at any time.
WWE and the Big 12 Conference today announced an expansion to their multi-faceted partnership that will see Friday Night SmackDown broadcast from Big 12 markets on the eve of four conference football games throughout the 2025 season.
The first SmackDown will be held on Friday, August 22 at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland, a day before the 30th year of Big 12 Football kicks off with a Week 0 matchup between the Iowa State Cyclones and Kansas State Wildcats in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on Saturday, August 23 at Aviva Stadium.
Full dates include:
Friday, August 22 – SmackDown at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland (Iowa State vs. Kansas State on Saturday, August 23)
Friday, October 3 – SmackDown at Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio (Iowa State at Cincinnati on Saturday, October 4)
Friday, October 24 – SmackDown at Mullet Arena in Tempe, Arizona (Houston at Arizona State on Saturday, October 25)
Friday, October 31 – SmackDown at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah (Cincinnati at Utah on Saturday, November 1)
Tonight’s Dynamite is the second-to-last stop before All In this Saturday, with Collision tomorrow wrapping up the road towards AEW’s biggest show of the year.
Only three matches have been announced so far for tonight’s broadcast including Megan Bayne vs Tay Melo vs Queen Aminata vs Thekla in a four-way for the #2 spot in the Casino Gauntlet at All In, Samoa Joe vs Wheeler Yuta, and Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and The Young Bucks vs “Hangman” Adam Page, Will Ospreay, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Katsuyori Shibata.
Plus, Toni Storm and Mercedes Mone will have their final face-to-face and Mark Briscoe and MJF get their “talky-talk” segment.
Dynamite airs at 8PM ET live on TBS and streams on Max.
Crunchyroll today announced that it’s teaming up with AEW star Mercedes Moné for a new line of anime-inspired merchandise.
The new line will be available to purchase online at the Crunchyroll Store, as well as in-person at the wrestling convention Starrcast this weekend and at the Crunchyroll Anime FanFest at the Rady Shell during San Diego Comic Con.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Step Up, a mentorship nonprofit organization.
The collection will be available for sale in the United States, Canada and Europe.
Tickets for the 2025 Survivor Series: WarGames went on pre-sale today on Ticketmaster.com using the code UNIVERSE.
The show will be held on Saturday, November 29 live from the Petco Park in San Diego, California.
The cheapest tickets available are listed at $144.60 in the 300 level. Ringside seats are going for $6,007 plus taxes and are the most expensive seats so far.
@WrestleTix reports that there are 48,496 seats on the chart but not all of them are open for sale yet.
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, July 11.
Cory Hays of Bodyslam.net is reporting that Shayna Baszler worked last night’s NXT episode as a producer.
Baszler was released from her contract in May as part of several cuts which hit the company at the time. She is still technically under the 90-day no-compete clause so it’s unclear if she got a new job or this was a tryout of some sort.
Hays said that Baszler was listed as a producer for the Kelani Jordan vs Lainey Reid match along with Oney Lorcan.
Baszler worked for WWE since 2017, spending three years in NXT before moving on to the main roster. She was released less than a year after signing a brand-new deal with the company.
Smackdown on the 4th of July holiday had a big drop in the ratings on USA Network, drawing just 1,166,000 viewers, down 284,000 viewers from the prior week. The drop was expected on the holiday but despite that, the show still ranked #1 on cable television with a 0.32 rating in 18-49, down 0.09 from the previous week. It placed #3 in all of TV behind Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)
